Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest We are social animals and a close interaction is imperative for mental health. Drinking, for one, is a social activity that is essential to friendships, community, and industry. Filipinos love to drink with friends and family around. Inuman, the Tagalog word for drinking, is an integral part of Filipino drinking culture, wherein the concept of tagay — that can mean “cheers”, but is more commonly practiced as the rationing of liquor around the group using just one glass — is a communal practice that brings people closer. A drinking session can be as simple as setting up the dining table with all the drinks in the house with a lot of pulutan (bar chow) and of course, a group of people to drink with. However, parts of the country are under the state-mandated ‘enhanced community quarantine.’ Understandably, social distancing is vital to flattening the curve to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and most people are stuck at home. Majority of establishments are closed and group gatherings are prohibited. Fortunately, some of us are still able to work from home and live day-to-day in relative comfort. Nevertheless, cabin fever can set in pretty fast. And it’s times like these that we need our friends more than ever. Thank goodness for technology that we have the opportunity to connect with one another. And you’ve got to love the Filipino sense of humor for coming up with this new term, “e-numan” (electronic inuman). This new trend provides the opportunity for people to check on one another, reconnect, and drink together online. This might also help people to feel less alone and to stay sane. Here are some tips to have an epic e-numan experience with your friends: Choose your meeting place Thanks to technology, we now have virtual meeting spaces that make working from home, remote education, and online classes easier. There’s also the different online platforms where you and your friends can gather. Zoom is a popular choice for hosting a video conference party, as it’s easy to use, it’s fast, and can accommodate up to 100 participants. Other platforms you can use for intimate online gatherings include Google Hangouts or the group video call feature of Messenger. You can have an intimate gathering or a big shebang. Agree on a time and date that works for everyone and you’re on your way to having an entertaining drinking session. Get your drinks ready Set the scene for your e-numan. If you have been building up your drink stash for your home bar, or if you had the foresight to stock up on spirits while everyone else was hoarding toilet paper and alcohol, you’re all set. This seems like a good time as any to crack open that expensive bottle you were saving for a special day. Go with your chosen poison. If you’re running low, there are still some delivery services that can bring liquor to your doorstep (if the area you live in isn’t under a liquor ban). Boozy, Winery.ph, Two Belgians, and Wine Depot offer booze delivery options for the thirsty and quarantined. Be as chill or as extra as you want One of the good things about being stuck at home is not needing to dress up for work (at least from the waist down if you have video calls). But if you want to get dressed to the nines like you’re hitting the hottest clubs, go for it! Getting all dolled up when you want to (and haven’t in a while) feels good. Break in that new outfit you bought for an epic night out for a memorable night in instead. Debut a new look (if it turns out badly, at least only the people you know can see it). Have a theme and wear costumes. Set up a pajama party to further sink into comfort dressing (and have the added benefit of going straight to sleep on your bed) or put on your face masks and serums as you’re drinking online together. You can also plan a dance party and take turns being the DJ. You’ll finally get to show off your playlist, or make it a meta e-numan by also watching a live gig online. Or just chill and catch up with some of your favorite people over drinks. The limit is your imagination and how game everyone is. The important thing is that you’re together and sharing a drinking experience. There’s a lot of uncertainty about how our current situation will play out. The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we move and deal with the world. It’s important to be safe and follow the social distancing guidelines. But one thing that won’t change is the need to meet with friends and bond over drinks, and we’ll find ways to do just that – online.